Oppenheimer

Reams have been written and spoken about Christopher Nolan’s greatest gem and which would be remembered and talked about, for as long as nuclear weapons are there in the world.

Yet at the risk of sounding repetitive would like to mention my thoughts. Of course in bullet points to keep it short.

1. Cilian Murphy’s portrayal of the protagonist. His journey from an extremely intelligent scientist willing to go to any extremes to expand his horizons. And which culminates in him becoming a successful technocrat. His political and social views, his loyalty towards his friends and colleagues, his sense of foreboding at the fag end of the Manhattan Project especially at the prospects of the rise of fusion bomb or H Bomb, his deep dislike to conform to the changing political and social landscape, his being cast out of from the public sphere even after his success, his being branded as communist and subsequent revocation of his security clearances and finally the devastation he foresees, all is portrayed in a exquisitely beautiful manner. Elevating it to a sublime art form. Not only in dialogues but even when he doesn’t speak he seems to convey a lot. The look in his eyes, the body language, the turning of his head, a long stare or that faraway look in his eyes, everything is a Masterclass in acting. He lives and breathes the man he plays on screen.

2. Robert Downey Jr is a revelation. It’s almost difficult to recognise him as he is devoid of his regular machismo and his distinctive swag that defines him. In this movie he performs an understated role of a typical politician. Would say that it might be his best role so far.

3. Matt Damon as an army Colonel initially feels a bit of a caricature but then grows on you as the movie unfolds.

4. The script as usual is nonlinear. With three parallel stories playing out and a lot of jumping back and forth amidst different timelines. Yet nowhere does the viewer feel disoriented. In fact the complex persona of Oppenheimer pops out, in all clarity by this use of nonlinear progression.

5. Music : One does miss Hans Zimmer but having said that Ludwig Göransson’s background score doesn’t lag behind on any aspects. The use of foot tapping and various other rhythms and beats, elevate many a mundane scenes to an altogether different level. Special mention about the trinity test of the prototype device, where the use of silence creates an impact on the viewers which will stay for a long time even after the movie is over.

6. The movie has a run time of 3 hours but one just doesn’t realise it, so engrossed and involved the viewer is in the happenings on the screen. By and large it’s a human drama on the background of the Manhattan Project with a bigger implications to humanity’s survival and yet the underlying tensions and the way the narrative is tautly weaved around the protagonist, keeps the viewer hooked till the last moment.

7. Lastly the movie is about J Oppenheimer but it’s also about the danger to human existence from nuclear weapons. And Christopher Nolan achieves in implanting that message in viewers psyche without apparently trying to do so.

At the end of the movie only one word comes to the mind. Speechless !!!

©️ShashikantDudhgaonkar